Approach:
Adult beetles of both species will be assayed against B. bassiana or M. brunneum (insect-pathogenic fungi) and against Trichoderma harzianum (mycoparasitic fungi) using small log sections inoculated with one of the fungi. Beetle gallery success and brood production will be quantified. Fungal strains of each species will be assayed against symbiotic fungi in vitro in three ways. Differential competition and both primary and secondary resource competition protocols will be used. Log sections will be mounted on stakes and then sprayed with a formulation of one of each of the three EPA-registered fungi. Attacks and brood success will be evaluated for each of the two beetle species. The field persistence of the three biocontrol fungi will also be quantified.